New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin discredited himself in the eyes of many with his inept response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Nonetheless, he was able to narrowly win re-election last year. But residents continue to wonder about their eccentric chief executive as he sends conflicting signals about whether he will enter the race for governor of Louisiana this fall.

Last week, Mayor Nagin responded to a question about the city’s skyhigh violent crime rate’s impact on the tourist trade by saying:

“Do I worry about it? Somewhat. It’s not good for us, but it also keeps the New Orleans brand out there, and it keeps people thinking about our needs and what we need to bring this community back. So it is kind of a two-edged sword. Sure it hurts, but we have to keep working everyday to make the city better.”

Local community leaders exploded at the mayor’s description of the city as a “brand.” Mayoral spokeswoman Ceeon Quiett responded by insisting that the mayor isn’t insensitive to the crime problem and believes “even one murder is too many.” At the same time, she said, his comments allowed him to “force the conversation” to address a lack of adequate police resources. “We have to remind people that our entire criminal justice system is broken down,” she said.

I have a better idea of how the mayor can do that. Just run for governor, and I guarantee all of his opponents will be happy to air ads and visit New Orleans to make precisely that point. Mayor Nagin would get the attention he apparently is seeking, but as for his chances of being elected governor, the mayor should keep his day job.

Source: John Fund @ OpinionJournal’s Political Diary [Subscription]